MCHS Counseling ~ College and Career
School Code: 052862

CAREER AND COLLEGE INFORMATION

Counselors and Guidance Technicians are available in the Sun Center to answer questions on college, careers, technical preparation, and job availability. Students may see counselors at snack, lunch, before, and after school. Parents are asked to call and make an appointment.

Letters of Recommendation

Letter of Recommendation Process:

~ UC's/CSU's do NOT accept letters of recommendation

~ Private schools usually require 1 counselor letter of recommendation and 1-2 teacher letters of recommendation. Use the Common Application if possible!

Requesting a Letter of Recommendation in 3 easy steps!
Step ONE: Come to the Sun Center and sign up in the notebook labeled “Letter of Rec Forms” for your counselor. The counseling staff will email you 5 forms (3 are required, 2 are optional, but recommended). Follow the directions in the email on how to complete the forms and who to return them to.
Step TWO: Ask the teacher/counselor who’ll be writing your letter at least 2-3 weeks in advance of the deadline. Have forms completed and ready in a timely manner once they’ve agreed to write your letter.
Keep in Mind: Some schools still require paper evaluation forms that must accompany your letters of rec. If this is the case, be sure to give the teachers and counselor writing your letter a copy of the form as well as an addressed, stamped envelope.
Step THREE: Thank the staff member profusely.

FORMS
1. Letter of Rec Waiver (doc) - Sign and return to your Counselor.

2. Personal Data Form (doc) - Complete and give a copy to any staff member (including your Counselor) who is writing you a letter of rec.

3. College Application List (pdf) - Attach to the front of a large manila envelope. Complete and return to Counselor.

Optional but suggested:

4. Parent Input Form (doc) - Have mom or dad complete and return to Counselor.

5. Peer Reference Form (doc) - Have a friend complete and return to Counselor.

TRANSCRIPTS

Click here if you need Transcripts

A-G Requirements

See UC Doorways A-G and MCHS A-G Courses

College Testing

SAT Reasoning Test is a test that is used by colleges as a part of its admissions process. The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well students analyze and solve problems skills learned in school that are needed in college. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors.

The SAT includes several different question types, including: a student-produced essay, multiple-choice questions, and student-produced responses (grid-ins). www.Collegeboard.com

SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are designed to measure knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as ability to apply that knowledge. Some colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. www.Collegeboard.com

ACT is a test that is used by colleges as a part of its admission process. The ACT test assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. www.act.org The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. www.ACTstudent.org

PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. It also gives students a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) and www.Collegeboard.com .

Advanced Placement (AP) is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities. AP allows motivated high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Currently there are 37 courses and exams across 22 subject areas in the AP program. See the MCHS AP webpage. Also see www.Collegeboard.com
AP Exam schedule

AP Courses

Mt. Carmel offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement courses. As outlined by the College Board, Advanced Placement courses offer students the opportunity to take a college-level course in a high-school setting. All AP courses at Mt. Carmel have been certified and audited by the College Board, and are current in their requirements and preparation. See the MCHS Advanced Placement Page Click here for the 2012 Exam Schedule

Scholarships and Financial Aid

See our Scholarship and Financial Aid webpage

College/ Naviance Connection

Naviance College and Family Connection
NAVIANCE is a website designed to help students and parents plan for college. The most up to date list of college visits is posted on this website, as well as scholarship opportunities. There is also a resume builder and a list of enrichment program opportunities. We are in the process of getting this website off the ground! Create your account today so we can email you with important updates as they become available.

Registration Information

1. Click on the Naviance direct link on the MCHS homepage or

Enter: https://connection.naviance.com/fc/signin.php?hsid=mtcarmelca

2. Click on the “I need to register” link

3. Enter your student’s ID number PRECEDED by an:
“A” if you are the mother (i.e., A1847705)
“B” if you are the father (i.e., B1847705)
“C” if you are the stepmother (i.e., C1847705)
“D” if you are the stepfather (i.e., D1847705)
“E” if you are guardian or caregiver

FAFSA

Career Cruising

Career Cruising is a user-friendly comprehensive college and career search website. Various tools on the site provide valuable information for all students from the person who doesn't know where to begin as well as the student who has some post-secondary plans in hand. Students can complete an interest inventory (Career Matchmaker), Search for colleges, universities and vocational programs based on their own criteria (School Selector), research careers including information on job descriptions, wages, future outlook and read interviews with professionals working in the field. They can find college majors, identify high school classes that relate to their career interests, find out more about their personal learning style and even build a resume of activities to assist them in completing college and job applications. All research, assessment results and information can be saved by students to an electronic portfolio that will assist counselors in making recommendations for internships, colleges, and other post-secondary planning options.

Registration Information

SIGN IN PAGE: http://www.careercruising.com/
Click on the Career Cruising logo and enter
Username: mtcarmel
Password: sundevils

This is a fun and friendly career exploration website! Jobs that require no additional schooling, and
careers requiring multiple degrees are all included.
It will help you answer burning questions such as:
What do I want to be when I grow up?
How will I support myself?
What will my major be in college?

Career Matchmaker
Take a survey to match your skills and interests to careers.
Explore Careers
Want to make $60,000 per year? See which careers will take you there. Can't get enough
of CSI? Get the facts not the fiction.
Education and Training
Explore which schools offer the majors and programs you need. Orthodontist or Animator? You'll
discover what level of education you need and where to find it!
Portfolio Login
Enter Username: first initial, last name
Enter a Password of your choice
Create a portfolio to store your saved career searches.